While many seniors are not yet ready to move to a nursing home, a lot are ready to transition to a retirement community. These are housing complexes that offer independent apartments with on-site care.
This means that the elderly residents can maintain their own apartment homes, but have access to a nurse when they need one. They can live a normal life in a spacious residence, but don’t have to worry about such taxing tasks as maintaining the real estate.
Many of these retirement villages offer all-inclusive packages. This means that they have recreational activities for the community and offer meals at a cafeteria or dining hall. While there are assisted living services available such as a nurse on call for medical emergencies, for the most part the residents live as they would before moving.
Think of these communities like hotels. A hotel offers shelter and a place to rest, but has other services available to the guests, which guests can choose to utilize but don’t have to take part.
If you have an older loved one who may not need a nursing home, but who could use an assisted living situation, consider one of these communities. Your loved one won’t have to give up their independent lifestyle, but they will be able to choose from a variety of services when they want them.
To find one of these communities, ask your friends and neighbors and read the local reviews. You will be able to find something that both you and your loved one like.

When some people reach retirement age, they want to go live in a community that offers assisted living services and they can be surrounded by their peers while still living independently in an apartment or hotel room. Depending on where you live, you might find that there are several retirement apartments and hotels in your area. By following these guidelines, you should be able to determine which elderly community is right for you. When you first contact the facility, ask them how long they have been in business. Geriatric condominiums with several years of experience usually offer more services so that residents can get the meals, amenities, hospice, health care, nursing, recreation, and caretakers that they need at reasonable rates. Ask the village's consultant if the retirement apartment complex includes assisted living services with the rental or if they charge extra for some medical services. Ask them if you can take a tour of the community's facilities so that you can look around and make sure that you like the setting and the people that live there. This can also give you a chance to talk to the other residents about whether they enjoy living in the home. Ask the nursing home if they accept medical insurance. This can give you a discounted price that makes it easier for you to afford the retirement village that you like most. When you find a senior community that you like, be sure to write down their contact info so that you can contact them easily in the future.